Networking Meeting

Please express your intial interest in this event by

In November 2010, a two-day networking meeting to engage researchers and practitioners to develop a knowledge sharing network for sustainable development in the Cairngorms will take place in Aviemore. Participants will be given the opportunity to discuss research activities and opportunities to improve the value of research for practitioners in the Cairngorms.

Draft Meeting Programme

Day 1. Monday 15 November 2010

The first day will provide the opportunity for researchers to meet and to share knowledge about recently completed or ongoing applied research projects within the Park. There will be extensive time for informal networking. We will encourage participants to network and explore common research interests.

Morning:

Registration
‘Science Speed-Dating Session’ - all participants have a chance to meet each other on a one-to-one basis for two minutes in order to briefly explain their research
Plenary presentations: Cairngorms national Park, Delivering the National Park Plan, Sustainable research in the Cairngorms and best practice examples

Lunchtime:

Informal networking over lunch and coffee breaks

Afternoon:

Themed group sessions considering research in relation to the draft themes of the CNPA for the National Park Plan:
1.Sustainable Land Use: This theme is about how we use and manage the land of the Cairngorms National Park for food, products, recreation, biodiversity, landscape, services, development of homes or businesses, other public benefits and enhancing the special qualities.
2.Sustainable Destination: This theme is about how we ensure the Cairngorms National Park is a place that people come to, appreciate, care for and contribute to, supporting the economy but also supporting the special qualities for which the Park was designated.
3.Sustainable Communities: This theme is about supporting the continued sustainable development of the individual communities of the Park as well as the networks, infrastructure and services that connect them to each other and to other places.

Each session will include:
- overview of collected research related to this theme in the preparation process (Survey Monkey)
- short presentations (10-15 mins) about relevant research around these topics from selected participating
- workgroups identifying strengths and gaps in research related to each theme

Plenary: Summary of each themed session by the chairs and plenary discussion on future research needs, questions

Evening:

Dinner and informal networking

Day 2. Tuesday 16 November 2010

The second day will be a more ‘hands on’ public event that will be open to interested land managers, local communities and businesses, community groups and local authorities. All researchers attending the first day will also be encouraged to attend day two.
The aims of the day will be to communicate applied research taking place in the Park to a wider audience, to encourage feedback and discussion especially from the new participants, and possibly to identify new themes for research with the involvement of stakeholders. These aims will be achieved through field trips, poster displays and discussions. The field trips and working groups will be structured around the Park’s draft priorities and will stimulate connections between research and practice

Morning:

Field trips in the Aviemore area with examples of applied research, presented by relevant researchers and with feedback and involvement from stakeholders

Lunchtime:

Informal networking with emphasis on connecting research and practice

Afternoon:

Themed group sessions considering the draft themes of the CNPA for the National Park Plan including posters about recent/ongoing research, on:
1.Sustainable Land Use
2.Sustainable Destination
3.Sustainable Communities

Each session will include:
- Short poster presentations of applied research – related to each park theme
- Workgroups including researchers and practitioners for each theme and identifying strengths and gaps in stakeholder involvement in research – draft action that is required for increasing involvement

Plenary:
Summary of each themed session by the chairs and plenary presentation of required actions, future research needs in the stakeholders’ views, questions
Conclusions and closing remarks

Venue

The meeting will be held at the Aviemore Highland Resort in Aviemore.

Accommodation

Please click here for details of accommodation in and around Aviemore.